Chiropractor/Vet appt for Chester

[MVons]

Sam's therapy made me look up centers in US. I found a ChiroVet that states he makes housecalls anywhere in the US. I emailed him "What age should a dog be for an adjustment? My cardigan welsh corgi is cow hocked and the back is starting to roach, but he is only 5 1/2 months. I am told by a breeder that the growth plates close between 10 and 12 months so I wondered if it is best to wait until that time."

I just found his reply (yahoo sent to spam file, growl) "Your dog has a dislocated sacrum. Have it adjusted as soon as possible."

I researched what a dislocated sacrum was etc and Dr. Hathaway has good info on the internet. Chester more than likely fits into the situation that this probably occurred at birth. After all he was the largest puppy. Then running on slippery floor hasn't helped. He has no pain etc and no hip problem at this point.

So then I spent the rest of the day trying to find a Vet that is chiropractor. Because Chester hasn't seen a Vet for this, I needed the chiropractor to be a Vet too. I had NO idea what a pain that search was. From the incredible holistic Vet in San Diego but I felt 4 hour RT was too much, $80 Palm Springs one to the $39 San Bernardino that my husband said a tad too far, to finally finding a Vet right down the hill on the north side (not the parvo Hemet side). I'm thrilled, this Vet doesn't keep a dog overnight for neuter and the cost $75. She has open clinic hours 2:30pm to 5pm every day - $25.

So for $25 I can have Chester evaluated to see if he does need an adjustment or will grow out of the roaching back. I can check out the Vet for becoming our regular Vet. She even has weekend hours! She runs a vaccination clinic on Sat. and the name is Affordable Pet Care. Chester has no pain, no problem jumping up or on to things like couches:REALLYMAD:. I will call and be sure there is a place to keep Chester away from the sick dogs waiting to be seen.

I would have never thought of looking into a chiropractor except for the thread about Sam. THANK YOU. I see hind sight that our last dog would have benefited from an adjustment when she recovered from her back problem. Heck I need to schedule an appointment for myself - oh, I probably need a referral with my HMO.

My advice to all is if you think you will ever need a holistic Vet, do the research to find one. They can be under holistic, chiropractor, or just mentioned under the Humane Society's referral to Veterinarians which is where I found a lot. One was mentioned in a newspaper article. And the certification list isn't up to date on the phone numbers. One was a Vet's personal home down here but he practices up north. I would have been a basket case if this was an emergency and I couldn't find one easily, or I would have driven the miles to San Diego. I am saving my notes on a Vet at Loma Linda that does the acupuncture etc. if ever needed.

[LaRositaMonita]

Is a roached back a problem? Would a normal vet, then, even notice it if it is a problem? You are making me paranoid, Merrie! How does Mac's back compare with Chester's? You have a pretty good shot of his back in the pictures from our Dog Walk last weekend....

[mtoy]

I'm wondering the same thing - just what is this type of back thing? Just curious, I guess.

We have an excellent (or so I've heard) holistic vet here, but he's very pricey. You're so lucky with your find, hope she's as great as she sounds!

[manymuddypaws]

Good for you Merrie! I wish I knew before what a problem Sam's back could be. I assumed it was just his conformation.

For those of you asking- this is what a roach back looks like-
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z199/manymuddypaws/sambottle.jpg

this is Wicca's slight roach- that is being worked on aswell
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z199/manymuddypaws/wiccasireandget2.jpg

and this is a "correct" topline
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z199/manymuddypaws/keeper.jpg

[CorgiMum]

Thank you for explaining it with your pictures Amanda. I didn't know what a roached back was either.

Dylan has never been to a Chiro Vet, but we did have an exellent equine therapist come in a couple of times and do some 'adjustments' to his back legs and neck before and after his ACL surgery.

[MVons]

The equine chiro here won't touch a dog - probably not worth the low rate compared to horses.

Sam's tail is gorgeous in that photo. Sigh, I'd be happy with half that amount on Chester, but he does have shorter hair, I know, no tangles is the benefit.

I'll post Chester's slight roach but very cow hock legs. Got to turn off the computer and reboot so the darn camera download will work.

[MVons]

Is a roached back a problem? Would a normal vet, then, even notice it if it is a problem? You are making me paranoid, Merrie! How does Mac's back compare with Chester's? You have a pretty good shot of his back in the pictures from our Dog Walk last weekend....Mac's butt doesn't have the extreme curve like Chester. His back line looks pretty darn good in the profile like the example of the correct topline. For some reason I thought I saw a front view where I said to myself, Chester is opposite of Mac. Chester is bulldog (paws out of shoulder and straight down in front) and Mac's go together.

Here is Chester's side view. The roach - curve of the back - is not bad but when you realize Chester doesn't have fluff, it is his backbone, then you realize it is a tad worse than the photo shows.
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z47/mvons/Chester/oct32007roach.jpg

But here is his cow hocks (in humans we'd call knock knee). Chester doesn't have pants! Shorter hair is the cause of that.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z47/mvons/Chester/oct32007cowhocks.jpg

[mtoy]

Those photos are all very helpful. I never knew there was such a thing.

[Fluffypants]

Thanks for the photos ladies. I didn't know what a roached back was either! This was a very educational thread!

[MissGambler's+Mojo'sMommy]

Great pictures to illustrate the topic, thanks for taking the time guys.

[dcole]

Wow, I'd never heard of a roached back, either. Learn something new every day!

Just for reference Merrie, which holistic vet did you used to see in San Diego?

[MVons]

The holistic Vet I found (but didn't go to) in San Diego is Keith Weingardt. See his info at www.animalhealingcenter.net.

The holistic vet in Loma Linda - or actually Redlands is Nancy Modglin. She isn't an advocate of raw food like Keith is so I'd probably be more comfortable, but good to know the differences of both.

AVCA is the listing of active members who are DVM chiropractic vet or DC dr of chiropractic.

[MVons]

Here is the 10 yr old rescue that a neighbor got from Bakersfield a couple years ago. She just trembles still. You can see Chester's roach especially.
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z47/mvons/Chester/Oct72007fifi.jpg

So Monday we went to the new clinic and waited 2 hours - yes low cost means the cost of your time, but that was okay as we needed to see the Vet not the technician. I used the time to observe the clinic and I'm thrilled. They could use the time/money to spend fixing up the place, but I have to say the claw marks on the door, or our personal favorite was the chomped metal door knob in the room! She does take rescues and has a heart of gold. Gave a woman a discount on her dog's emergency surgery.

She gave Chester a quick adjustment. His right hip really popped loudly. His neck pop was normal for a puppy and the shoulders, Chester didn't like too much. She worked on his back and she was surprised it was looser than most puppies. She felt some popping (meaning going back into alignment) on the sacrum and Chester's most tender spot was the peak of the curve in the back of this photo. He belched as she worked (good sign). The only way she could get him to relax is to feed him biscuits. Does that surprise any of us? No! I told her how food motivated a corgi can be. This was the first cardigan she has seen and she just loved Chester. We didn't see much change in the roach and she said she wouldn't do anything more without x-rays. She said it could be very well that he is just built this way and to wait until he is older and less awkward. Chester's running is that he doesn't know quite what to do with his hind legs when he runs. She does not want him neutered until he has some testosterone to fill out and have a more balanced body. Everything she said, backs up what the breeder in Tucson said. But that was more of a test of the Vet.

She explained why Chester's eyes seem so red to us - he has no pigment in his third eyelid. I love those things you worry about and it is such a simple explanation.

So my decision is that she will do Chester's neuter when he is 10-12 months old (weather is a factor as I'd drive up and down twice). During the neuter I will request the x-rays done and any adjustment then as they are the most relaxed one can be. SO happy the decision on a Vet is made. She is maybe 40 so I don't have to worry about her retiring like our last Vet. Her Vet assistants/techs are super.

The people in the waiting room raved about her. We enjoyed the variety of dogs from 2 day old litter to a huge St. Bernard, that they took outside to relieve himself. :LAUGH:

The Vet was pleased Chester had his puppy shots and didn't request to have another parvo shot. She said parvo is reaching epidemic in so calif. She had 4 cases brought in that same day.

My Monday was exhaustive as I had my physical in Palm Springs and came home and picked up Chester and talked Erec into going too. Then we got home at 7pm. Chester slept VERY soundly after the adjustments. AND his coat is super soft today! Amazing stuff chiropractor is.

I would like to start looking into massage for Chester as that would be best done regularly and we could learn it.

[manymuddypaws]

I know that sometimes Equine Massage therapists will work on dogs, and some people ones too! Glad to hear that his visit went well! Have you talked to your breeder about the roach? If it is something that is common in his lines it may be a conformational thing rather than a sensitivity or a sore back. In that case I would think that even with adjustments he will always have somewhat of a roach. In Sam's case he will always have a roached back but it is less severe now than it was even a few months ago.

Keep us posted and I think you are doing a great job with your little guy! Your new vet sounds great!

[sutulu]

OK... now I am paranoid about raoched backs and 3rd eyelids.

Where's my owners's manual?

This is a very informative thread.

[MVons]

This is a very informative thread.Yes, that is why I'm not painting, because I had to do this updated post, as the procrastinator side of me rules.

Chester is dreaming with his tail wagging and nose twitching. How wonderful to have my dog have pleasant dreams the day after the Vet. He got to meet a variety of dogs who, like him, weren't sick.

[MrsGrace]

Yes, that is why I'm not painting, because I had to do this updated post, as the procrastinator side of me rules.

Me too! Tell you what, I'll paint a bit this afternoon if you will... :WINK:

[MVons]

Me too! Tell you what, I'll paint a bit this afternoon if you will... :WINK:Deal, it is 78F perfect for painting.

[mtoy]

Where's my owners's manual?



How often have I wondered that myself???:EEK:

I'm SO glad to hear the vet is a keeper and the visit went well!

[CorgiMum]

So glad to hear the that you liked the Vet, and it sounds like the visit was very helpful for Chester.

[MVons]

Here is a photo I took tonight when I was trying to capture his cheek brindle spots, but got his 3rd eyelid on his right eye. You can see why we were so alarmed seeing that much red.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z47/mvons/Chester/oct92007eyelid.jpg

[MVons]

Saw a photo of Pepper and her 3rd eyelid was offwhite or white. Is anyone's a different shade, like black?

[MVons]

Chester's butt has filled out - or doubled in size so he is better balanced with his front now. His cow hock isn't as bad and the roach is less. He is still a bullet (no chest) and has some more growth to do.

I found out one person had their dog get an infection after an ear surgery at this Vet. Another person swears by this Vet. I think I'll still use her but really keep an eye for infection when Chester gets "fixed".

[MVons]

Chester had improved on his cow hock when his butt filled out. Here is a photo in January
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z47/mvons/Chester%20over%206%20months/Chester%20Jan-apr2008/01-27cowhock2.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z47/mvons/Chester%20over%206%20months/Chester%20Jan-apr2008/01-27cowhock.jpg

He'll always be cow hocked, but at least his "knees" aren't touching now.